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Passing the DREAM Act; Protecting Seniors; 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony

December 10, 2010
Pelosi Update

Passing the DREAM Act
I am so pleased that the House passed the DREAM Act of 2010 by a vote of 216 to 198 on Wednesday. I have long been committed to the passage of this critical legislation, which offers young immigrants the chance to attain citizenship and contribute to our country’s future by pursuing a college education or serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

videoCongresswoman Pelosi speaks in support of the DREAM Act, which passed the House by a vote of 216 to 198.

The DREAM Act offers a path forward for young people raised and educated here, but left in legal limbo through no fault of their own. The parents of these young men and women came to our shores in search of a better life for themselves and their children; like previous generations of immigrants, they simply strive to take part in the American Dream.

The nonpartisan U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported that the DREAM Act would lower the deficit by $2.2 billion over the next 10 years. Additionally, studies show that students benefitting from the DREAM Act would contribute trillions of dollars to our economy over the course of their careers.

Our immigration system needs to honor the promise of a better future for all Americans and recognize the enormous contributions immigrants make to our nation. The DREAM Act upholds our nation’s cherished values of equality and opportunity, and marks a critical step toward our ultimate goal: comprehensive immigration reform. It is my hope that the Senate will follow the House and pass this critical legislation next week.

Protecting Seniors
On Wednesday, House Republicans blocked the passage of The Seniors Protection Act, which would provide a one-time payment of $250 for Social Security recipients. As we enter the second consecutive year without a cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security retirees and other beneficiaries, this fiscally responsible legislation would help millions make ends meet during these difficult economic times. Unfortunately, congressional Republicans overwhelmingly chose to oppose it. The bill received the support of almost all Democrats, but the vote of 254 to 153 in favor of the bill did not meet the 2/3 majority needed to pass it.

Democrats are committed to protecting, upholding, and strengthening Social Security, and will continue to fight Republican efforts to privatize it and cut benefits. America’s seniors deserve better.

Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony in Oslo
Today, I attended the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway, as part of the official delegation on behalf of Liu Xiaobo and his wife Liu Xia. Liu Xiaobo, a Chinese human rights activist, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for “inciting subversion of state power” after he authored Charter 08, an online petition by Chinese citizens calling on the Chinese government to improve its policies on democracy and human rights. Last week, the House of Representatives passed a resolution to congratulate Liu Xiaobo on the award of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize.

As a courageous advocate of peaceful political change, Liu Xiaobo’s message of reform is an inspiration to the entire world. The Nobel Peace Prize is a testament not only to Liu Xiaobo, but many other Chinese dissidents who have sacrificed so much in pursuit of freedom and democracy in China. The American government must continue to support individuals who stand for non-violence, justice, democratic freedoms, and the defense of fundamental human rights. I continue to call for the immediate unconditional release of Liu Xiaobo from prison.

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